An homemade, no-bake version of your favorite store-bought peanut butter protein bar, without all the crazy ingredients

Author: Lindsay L

Ingredients

1 cup oat flour (i just ground up oats in my food processor until I have enough to fill 1 cup)

1 cup vanilla protein powder (2 heaping scoops)

1 cup Rice chex cereal

2 Tbsp chia seeds

½ cup peanut butter

¼ cup milk

3 – 4 Tbsp honey, depending on sweetness preference

1-2 Tbsp water, if necessary

3 Tbsp chocolate chips, optional

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, cereal and chia seeds.

In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, milk and honey.

Microwave for 30 seconds, stir and microwave 15-30 sec more.

Add liquid mixture into dry ingredients and stir to combine.

Add water if necessary to make sure all dry ingredients are moistened. (Mixture will be crumbly).

Use parchment paper to press the mixture into an 8×8 pan (I use a 9×9 and just leave about an inch empty on one side).

Freeze for 20 minute.

Cut into bars (I cut mine into 8 bars).

Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Melt chocolate and spread or drizzle over the bars.

Notes

You could use unflavored protein powder but you’d probably need to increase the amount of honey for sweetness and you might need to decrease the milk.
You could use other cereals like Rice Krispies instead of the Chex.
Use your favorite nut butter if you don’t like peanut butter.

3.2.2708

**Edited to add: Lately I’ve been making a batch and a half, filling a whole 9×9 pan and cutting into 12 bars! Works great

That’s all there is to it!

Feel free to customize to your liking:

Sub your favorite nut butter for the pb.

Try Rice Krispies or another crunchy cereal instead of Chex.

Eat them plain or just drizzle with chocolate instead of covering the whole top.

Use unflavored protein powder instead of vanilla, but you may need to increase the honey and decrease the milk.

Hope you like them! Be sure to store them in the fridge- or the freezer if you like them a little colder!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Comments

I’m not usually a protein bar person either, but the homemade version make them a lot healthier. Another variation is to make them vegan by using a vegan protein powder, almond (or other non-dairy milk), and agave or maple syrup instead of the honey. Thanks for the recipe!Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Out with the Old…Reviewing 2013 Goals

I don’t eat a lot of protein bars either, mainly because of my allergies and there’s always something that ends of making my mouth itchy, even if everything on the ingredient list is OK. I would eat them if I made my own and could play around with the ingredients.Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Intentions for 2014

These look great! I haven’t been a big fan of protein powder either, but I keep seeing all of these great recipes (like your bars) that include it. Perhaps I’ll have to give it a go!Deb @ Dietitian Debbie Dishes recently posted..The No-Diet Resolution

These look delicious and super healthy! I also try to get my protein from real food sources, but sometimes I’m to busy and things like this are a lifesaver.Erica { EricaDHouse.com } recently posted..New Year; New Home.

I have been looking for some great homemade protein bars because my husband LOVES them but they are pricey! I am going to have to give these a try Sara @ LovingOnTheRun recently posted..Progression Back to Running

Wow these DO look good! I’m the same way where I’m not huge on protein powders or drinks; I prefer to get my protein from real-food sources. However, there are times when a bar (Especially a homemade one!) comes in handy!!!Meredith @ DareYouTo recently posted..Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals!

I’ve cut way back on my consumption of protein powders and have been focusing more on real food sources. However, I love homemade protein bars. You can put all your favorite flavors to make the ultimate bar.Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Happy New Year!

These were fantastic!!! I grounded my own oats, used organic almond butter and used organic dark chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla (that’s all I had). These turned out great! My entire family LOVED them!! Thanks for this amazing recipe!! Loved it! Going to make them all the time. Love your website too!! Happy New Year and thanks again!!

I made these and they turned out great! I loved how chewy they are and filling. I used agave instead of honey, almond milk, Nuttzo instead of peanut butter, Cheerios instead of Chex and a mix of almond flour and coconut flour instead of PB. Was very happy with the results.Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews recently posted..District Collection Review

Yummy! They look really good, I have been thinking that I should consume more protein bars (homemade of course) to supplement my training. Thanks for the idea…..I usually agree with you about not liking protein powder, but if you approve…they must be good!Tina Muir recently posted..Training Update 12/29/2013-1/4/2014

These look delicious, Lindsey! I’ve actually never tried using protein powder, but I just might with these. They look like they’d be a great snack to bring along on travels or for my kids when basketball games are during the supper hour and they need something to get them through. Pinning it!Marie recently posted..Recipe Round-up and Pin It Party

These bars are fantastic! I made them in a muffin tin for easy measuring. I would be curious about the nutrition info compared to the store protein bars. I did use chocolate protein powder and vanilla soy milk…YUMMY!

Great looking recipe, but if I’m being honest I was completely turned off when it read to use the microwave in order to melt ingredients together. I don’t own one because they are so damn toxic to our health!! When I made this, I just combined the peanut butter honey and almond milk, gave it a quick whir in the blender, and voila!! Great recipe, turned out yummy, I just would adjust the microwaving aspect

Thanks for sharing your opinion. Great to know that it works in a blender. I’m gonna go ahead and leave the microwave directions in there. If people want to find a way around it, they’re more than welcome to- just like you did!

These are so yummy! I am giving you a long-distance hug for sharing this recipe. I used Rice Krispies, cut the honey to 1 Tbsp., and added 2 Tbsp. of raisins. They taste like those peanut-butter Rice Krispie bars with the chocolate on top that my grandmother used to make. Oh, I also used 1 scoop of vanilla protein and 1 of chocolate. I think it would be really easy to make these 100 different ways. Never thought of grinding up the oats. I was making another recipe that used dates as the “glue” and sweetner – they are delicious but way too sweet as I am really trying to limit sugar.

I just used your recipe as a “base” tonight. I didn’t have chia seeds so I took some almonds and cut them down in the blender. I didn’t have any cereal either, so I used rolled oats. Had plain protein, so I added vanilla to the mixture. I also threw in some ground flax. LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!!!

LOVE these!!!! I just made some and instead of running to the store to get Kind bars, I stayed home and made these instead. I used almond milk and pea protein. They are kick a$$!! I need something to keep me going while in college and I think these will do the trick!

Hi Lindsay,
I’m so glad to find a no-bake recipe that looks and sounds so good, although in my book, chocolate chips should never be optional. A healthy, high-protein way for me to satisfy my sweet tooth.

These can be REALLY varied. I used vanilla almond milk, and I didn’t have any chex so I used chocolate FiberOne. The protein bar tasted like a peanut butter cup! Also, I drizzed chocolate make from coconut oil, agave syrup and cocoa (which hardens in the freezer.) Delicious and a better value than what I can find at the store. And THANK YOU for the oat flour lesson – never thought of that before.

These were so easy to make! My daughters and I pulsed a cup of dark chocolate chips (to make them smaller chunks) and added it to the dry mixture. We also used NAVITAS Naturals Superfood Blend (a protein smoothie mix) with Hemp-Cacao-Maca for the protein powder. So fun and easy to make. They taste amazing!!GBeckett recently posted..Cheap Tricks

Hi! These turned out delicious, however mine came out really gooey? I was thinking maybe less honey? What is the texture that these usually turn out like? I was expecting it to be like a cliff bar. I wasn’t able to cut them into squares, we just kinda grabbed pieces and ate them. But, again, very tasty! Thanks!

Mine usually turn out a bit sticky, but I’m definitely able to form them to the bottom of the pan and cut into bars. I sometimes cut back on the honey and they still taste fine so that might help for you.

*Please don’t rate this recipe until you’ve actually MADE it! In fairness, I’m rating based on an adjusted version, but that’s better than nothing.

I’m a vegetarian with a mild dairy allergy (limited, not entirely cut), so protein powder is necessary to support my heavy weight training and active life.

I cut the PB to 5 Tbsp., used chocolate protein powder and flax seeds (what I had on hand) in lieu of vanilla and chia, added cinnamon and 2 tsp. cocoa. I attempted to get by with more water instead of the milk to make them less perishable, but I’d already cut the PB, so I ended up needing a Tbsp. of vanilla soy milk to get the mix to stick together (made all the difference!). Rolled into 10 balls and flattened with my palms into protein cookies at roughly 150 cals and 10 g of protein each.

Best tasting and most forgiving protein bar recipe I’ve made! Thanks so much for sharing!

A lot of people have said this LOOKS like a good recipe (and I am by no means doubting!) but I haven’t seen anyone who said it actually tastes good. Do we have anyone who has tasted this recipe other than the author? Much appreciated!

I just made these with chocolate protein powder, amazing!! Do they usually keep well in the fridge? I am looking to make these for the week. Do you find they keep for several days to a week? Thank you!!

Thanks for sharing this recipe Lindsay! I’ve just made my second batch using this recipe but this time I tripled the recipe and added shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries. My boyfriend loves them and I’m glad he’s eating these rather than pre-packaged store bought bars.

I skipped the protein powder and replaced the rice cereal with puffed amaranth, which is a protein source. Split into 9 servings, this came to 7.5g protein per serving. MyFitnessPal came up with 14.7g for the original version with 1 cup of whatever whey protein powder it chose – though there is significant variation in protein content in powders, even between whey powders. A serving of my usual whey powder is 11g protein. I increased the honey to 5T. (Calories: original 253, mine 234.)

I popped the amaranth in my Dutch oven (in a shallow pan, it will just pop right out) a few tablespoons at a time. It looks like very tiny popcorn. 1/4 cup gave me just short of a cup popped. Good quality protein powders are expensive, so this is a frugal alternative, and a good one for anyone not interested in using the powders. I like this nutrtion breakdown for breakfast bars for my 8yo. He doesn’t need Crossfit-level protein content. You could adjust the amaranth vs. oat flour volume to adjust the protein if you want.

They’re super-delicious -thanks for posting this recipe!

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[…] The Lean Green Bean has a great recipe for no-bake protein bars, and you can use whatever source of protein you prefer. You can also use a different flavor of protein powder– try pumpkin or birthday cake for an even tastier treat. […]

[…] with you guys! I wasn’t originally going to share these because they’re similar to my No Bake Protein Bars, but the whole reason I made these was because I didn’t have any oats, so I thought I’d […]

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